Improvement in keys



ANDREAS VANG, lOlE CHICAGO,'ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR `TO JOHN MACKAY.

Letters Patent No. 86,114, dated Jnuwry 19, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN KEYS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whomt't 'may concern Be it known that I, ANDREAS VANG, of Chicago, in the county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a nen1 and useful Improvement upon Keys; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference thereon, making a part of this speeilieation.

The nature of my invention consists in providing keys with a joint in the centre or" the shank, and adjusting the handle-portion 0l' it as a mould or case, to receive the bit-portion of' the shank, and encase the same on two sides.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invent-ion, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct my key of any metal suitable for keys, in any ofthe known forms, in two parts, A and O, of equal length, constructing the handle-portion of the shank in 'the form of a mould or case, C, adjusted to the form and size of the bitportion, then unite the two parts with a rivet or screw, B, forming a joint, so

as to conveniently open and shut, similar to a pocketknife, as convenience or use demands, and when shut, its length is shortened one-half; besides, the joint protects the key from bending or breaking when used whereloeks are not on a direct line With the escuteheon or key-hole, the key adjusting itself to that condition of things by means of the joint', thereby protecting it from bending or breaking, while, when losed, the case or mould protects the Wards of the bit from Wear and breaking.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Pat-ent, is

Splitting:V the shank of a key, and jointing the same at the middle of the shank, and arranging the parts, so that one will fold upon the other, and shorten the length of the key one-half, Without materially increasing its size, substantially as specified.

ANDREAS VANG.

Witnesses:

1. L. HAWmNsoN, P. B. LARsoN. 

